Wildcats Fall to Powerful Bethlehem Catholic, 49-12
HERSHEY – The Central Mountain Wildcats gave their all but powerful Bethlehem Catholic was just too much for coach Biff Walizer’s team, taking 11 of 14 bouts on the way to a 49-12 win in the first round of the PIAA AAA Team Duals at the Giant Center.
The loss, the Wildcats’ first after 14 victories, pushed them into a Friday 10 a.m. consolation match against Central Dauphin; the Rams losing to Kiski Area by a 48-11 score.
Bethlehem Catholic, defending team dual champions, led from the get-go when their 2016 state fourth-place finisher Niko Camacho pinned the Wildcats’ Richie Thompson (26-6) in a dual that started at 285 pounds. Central Mountain could muster but three bout wins. Geo Barzona (26-1), at 113 pounds for the first time this season, took a 4-2 decision over Kenny Hermann. The team score at that point was 9-3 in favor of the Golden Hawks. The District 11 powerhouse then went on an 8-bout run, opening a 43-3 lead through 170 pounds.
Wildcat senior Caleb Turner (22-7) picked up a decision at 182 pounds by an 8-3 score over Robert Spezza. Sophomore Tanner Riggle (13-9) secured CM’s final six team points with a wild finish at 195 pounds. Trailing 5-3 deep into the third period against Andrew Balukas, Riggle tossed and pinned him in 5:43.
A Wildcat win Friday morning over Central Dauphin would put Central Mountain into a second round consolation contest Friday at 8 p.m. against an opponent to be determined. Third and fourth round consolations are scheduled for 9 a.m. and 11 a.m. Saturday, the consolation third place final Saturday at 1 p.m.
| CENTRAL MOUNTAIN 12 BETHLEHEM CATHOLIC 49 |
|---|
| 285 – Nico Commacho, Bethlehem Catholic, pinned Richie Thompson, Central Mountain, 1:39. |
| 106 – Dillon Murphy, Bethlehem Catholic, dec. Johnny Shreffler, Central Mountain, 8-5. |
| 113 – Geo Barzona, Central Mountain, Kenny Herrman, Bethlehem Catholic, 4-2. |
| 120 – Zach Glenn, Bethlehem Catholic, major dec. Dalton Bechdel, Central Mountain, 17-6. |
| 126 – Ryan Anderson, Bethlehem Catholic, pinned Cody Coleman, Central Mountain, 1:11. |
| 132 – Jarred Papcsy, Bethlehem Catholic, major dec. Seth Andrus, Central Mountain, 8-0. |
| 138 – Luke Carty, Bethlehem Catholic, major dec. Logan Long, Central Mountain, 13-5. |
| 145 – Luca Frinzi, Bethlehem Catholic, dec. Colton Weaver, Central Mountain, 6-2. |
| 152 – Ryan Seiner, Bethlehem Catholic, major dec. Asher Corl, Central Mountain, 9-0. |
| 160 – Tavion Banks, Bethlehem Catholic, dec. Tanner Weaver, Central Mountain, 3-2. |
| 170 – Mike Labriola, Bethlehem Catholic, pinned Brandon Miller, Central Mountain, 1:13. |
| 182 – Caleb Turner, Central Mountain, dec. Robert Spezza, Bethlehem Catholic, 8-3. |
| 195 – Tanner Riggle, Central Mountain, pinned Andrew Balukas, Bethlehem Catholic, 5:43. |
| 220 – Jody Crouse, Bethlehem Catholic, pinned Mahlik Houtz, Central Mountain, 3:44. |
